New group to promote tax relief measure

AUGUSTA – The head of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce on Friday announced the formation of a new campaign committee to lead the effort to win voter approval of an alternative to the tax relief measure being backed by the Maine Municipal Association.

“We want state and local government to work together, not against each other,” Dana Connors said at a State House news conference, flanked by ranking Democratic and Republican lawmakers.

Two tax relief proposals on the November ballot have been designed to boost state aid for local schools.

But unlike the citizen initiative developed by the MMA, the competing measure supported by Gov. John Baldacci and passed by the Legislature would phase in school aid increases over five years.

Supporters of the gradual approach say an all-at-once infusion of more than $250,000 would necessitate deep cuts in government and-or higher state taxes.

The group backing the citizen initiative is known as Citizens to Reduce Local Property Taxes Statewide.

The new group being formed to promote the competing measure will be known as Mainers for Real and Responsible Property Tax Relief.

Baldacci, who had left the State House for a scheduled trip to Baxter State Park, did not attend Friday’s news conference but has indicated he plans to speak out for the competing tax relief measure and against the citizen initiative.

Larry Benoit, who headed Baldacci’s staff in Congress, said he expected the competing measure campaign to aim at raising several hundred thousand dollars.

Earlier this week, Maine Education Association President Rob Walker said the state teachers’ organization, drawing on a grant from the National Education Association, will put up $350,000 to win passage of the MMA-backed plan.

Through July 15, the statewide citizens’ PAC supporting the MMA-backed plan reported total receipts of $217,443.41 – most from the Maine Municipal Association, according to a compilation done by the state ethics commission office.

The speakers at Friday’s news conference were drawn mostly from the ranks of known supporters of the competing measure – including legislators such as Democratic House Speaker Patrick Colwell of Gardiner and House Republican leader Joe Bruno of Raymond.

Connors noted that the chamber had previously testified in favor of the competing measure.